'Reincarnated' Cedeno Has Enlivened Cards' Bid For Divisional Title

ST. LOUIS — Cesar Cedeno showed why St. Louis picked him up for the stretch drive in his first at-bat as a Cardinal.

In dramatic fashion Cedeno imprinted an indelible mark on St. Louis fans by homering off Houston's Mike Scott Aug. 30 at Busch Stadium.

The Cardinals acquired Cedeno, a 16-year veteran, from the Cincinnati Reds to help the club's drive towards the National League East title and help fill a hole caused by Jack Clark's absence because of pulled rib cage muscles.

St. Louis gave the Reds rookie league outfielder Mark Jackson, who was hitting .240 at Johnson City, Tenn. Cedeno represents a short-term risk for the Cardinals. Cedeno, who makes an estimated $540,000, is in the final year of his contract.

''Being traded here has opened a lot of opportunities for me,'' Cedeno said. ''I would like to stay in St. Louis. They are not obligated to offer me a new contract, but I would like to stay here.''

Cedeno's appearance gives the scrappy Cardinals something they needed -- an additional scource of power. Clark had filled the power role, but he has drawn numerous walks this season. His presence, however, has helped Tom Herr become a better hitter and RBI man.

With the addition of Cedeno, the Cardinals have someone else to look to for a home run.

''It gives us someone else who can knock it out,'' shortstop Ozzie Smith said. ''We've got two bona fide power hitters now. That just makes us a more dangerous club.''

The previous modus operandi for St. Louis was using the speed of Vince Coleman and league-leading hitter Willie McGee to get on base, setting the table for Herr and leaving Clark the leftovers. Clearly, the top four in the lineup have carried the Cardinals this season.

When Clark is healthly, he remains in the cleanup spot with Cedeno batting fifth. The two switch off between first base and right field. That keeps the platooning tandem of Andy Van Slyke and Tito Landrum on the bench.

''Those two have done the job this year, but Cedeno has been so damn hot I can't afford to take him out,'' Herzog said.

''Hot'' does not justify what Cedeno has done for the Cardinals' offense.

A five-hit game on Sept. 15 in Chicago gave Cedeno a .500 average with the Cardinals.

Cedeno further endeared himself to Cardinals fans, who greet his every appearance by standing and shouting ''SEE-ZAR, SEE-ZAR,'' by slugging a pinch- hit grand-slam off Atlanta's Gene Garber Sept. 6 at Busch. He hit another dramatic homer Sept. 11 at New York to snap an 0-0 tie and give the Cardinals a 1-0 victory that pushed St. Louis into a first-place tie with the Mets.

Through Tuesday Cedeno had a 12-game hitting streak at a .512 clip. He has hit in 19 of his 21 games as a Cardinal. Over that stretch, Cedeno is 30-for- 63 for a .476 average with five homers and 17 RBI. Ten of his hits have been for extra bases. Cedeno's slugging percentage as a Cardinal is .810.

''This is probably the last chance I was going to get,'' Cedeno said. ''I knew I had to do the best job I could. It's a new lease on life for me, and I had to take advantage of it.''

He helped ease the pain of Clark's absence. Before Clark came back from his injury, the Cardinals went 18-9.

''With C.C. Cedeno in there, the pitchers can't take it easy,'' third baseman Terry Pendleton said. ''He gives us that power threat. Batting him behind Clark means Jack will get more fastballs. Pitchers won't be inclined to walk him with a hot Cedeno coming up. And that makes us a better team.''

Cedeno helped move the Cardinals back into first place with his home run in New York and will be ready to keep them there.

''I've never been to the World Series,'' Cedeno said. ''That's the big thing for everybody . . . to play in a World Series. This ballclub has a good chance. I like my chances here. We can win.''